Caller stated that he did not wish to pursue the matter unless biological parentage could be established.

I read it several times.

Daniel had not wanted to pursue the children unless he could prove they were related to him.

But when he believed he couldn’t become a father through me, he had left our marriage rather than face uncertainty.

He had been willing to walk away from children who might have needed a family because he couldn’t tolerate the possibility that the truth might be complicated.

I put the papers into my bag.

That afternoon, I received a call from Daniel.

I almost ignored it.

Then I answered.

“What do you want?””

His voice sounded exhausted.

“Claire, I need to explain.””

“You’ve had years to explain.””

“I know.””

“Then why now?””

“Because I finally understand what I’ve done.””

I laughed bitterly.

“Do you?””

“Yes.””

“Daniel, you knew there was a possibility Oliver and Sophie were connected to your family. You contacted the adoption agency twice. You asked about them, and then you walked away.””

He went silent.

“How do you know that?””

“Because I read the records.””

He exhaled shakily.

“I never knew for certain.””

“You didn’t need certainty to ask questions. You didn’t need certainty to tell the truth. And you certainly didn’t need certainty to stop humiliating me.””

“I know.””

“No, you don’t.””

I heard him moving around, perhaps pacing his office.

“I was afraid.””

“So was I.””

“I thought if I got involved, everything would become more complicated.””

“You mean your life would become more complicated.””

He didn’t answer.

I continued.

“You didn’t want children unless you could be certain they were yours. You didn’t want to face the possibility that your brother might have left children behind. And you didn’t want me to know because then you would have had to admit that the woman you blamed for everything had built a family without you.””

His breathing became uneven.

“Claire, please.””

“What?””

“Can I see them?””

I closed my eyes.

“No.””

“Just once.””

“No.””

“They might be my brother’s children.””

“And they might not. We don’t know yet.””

“Then let me help find out.””

I took a breath.

“The agency is handling the matter. If testing is appropriate, it will be arranged through the proper channels. You will not approach the children directly.””

“I would never frighten them.””

“You have already frightened them. They heard you shouting. They saw you look at them as if they were a problem you hadn’t planned for.””

He said nothing.

I lowered my voice.

“Daniel, these children have already lost the people who brought them into the world. They have spent years learning that they can trust me. I will not let your need for answers become another source of fear in their lives.””

“I understand.””

I wanted to believe him.

But understanding was not the same as change.

“Goodbye, Daniel.””

I ended the call.

For the next several days, the agency reviewed the file. Rachel called twice, offering to provide a statement about what she had seen at the hospital. I agreed that she should speak to the agency, but I made it clear that I wasn’t ready to forgive her for withholding the information.

She accepted that.

Vanessa sent a brief message.

I’m sorry for what happened at the shower. I need some time to understand everything, but I hope you and the children are okay.

I thanked her.

I didn’t know what would happen to her marriage.

That was no longer my responsibility.

Then, on Thursday afternoon, Mrs. Harris called.

“We’ve reviewed the original documentation,” she said.

“There is sufficient uncertainty to justify further investigation. The agency can arrange appropriate DNA testing if the relevant parties consent.””

I sat down.

“Who would need to be tested?””

“Because Michael Bennett is deceased, direct testing may not be possible. We would need to consult with our legal team and a qualified testing provider to determine which relatives could establish a meaningful result. The children’s welfare and privacy will remain central.””

“And Daniel?””

“If he consents, he may be able to provide a sample to help assess the possible family connection. But we cannot promise that the results will establish exactly what happened.””

I agreed to cooperate with the process.

That evening, I sat beside Oliver and Sophie on the living room floor while they built a tower out of wooden blocks.

Sophie placed a blue block on top.

Oliver immediately knocked it down.

She gasped.

“Oliver!””

He laughed.

“It was too tall!””

“It was my tower!””

I watched them argue, then make peace two minutes later over a packet of crackers.

My children.

My family.

Whatever the tests revealed, I would not allow their identity to become a weapon in someone else’s battle.

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